New faster service for outpatient blood clot assessment and treatment

People referred to Salisbury District Hospital by their GP for an urgent diagnosis for blood clots are now getting faster assessment and treatment from a specialist team, in a dedicated area away from the busy Medical Assessment Ward.

The Acute VTE service was originally set up as a pilot in February, using nurses specifically trained in blood clot (Venous Thomboembolism – VTE) assessment and management, with support from specialist consultants. The aim was to provide a faster diagnosis, improved patient information and prevent avoidable admission to hospital. Since it started, the team has seen 178 outpatients. Only three needed to be admitted to hospital and this was because of their clinical condition.

Tamara Everington, Consultant Haematologist said: “While patients who needed a VTE assessment were seen by the medical team on abusy assessment ward, we felt that we could be more responsive to patient’s needs by providing a stand-alone service in a more relaxed environment, using staff who were specifically trained in the management of VTEs.”

Dr Everington added: “So far we have seen real benefits for these patients. They are now seen sooner by a VTE specialist. Nearly all are now able to go home that day with better information and support and a programme of treatment planned for them.”

Immobility, combined with short or long term disease,is the main cause of blood clots, which can form in the veins (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Together they are known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and can affect around 1 in 2000 people each year in the community.

The hospital is now an ‘Exemplar’ site on VTE prevention and now helps other Trusts to learn from the work carried out at Salisbury District Hospital.